Charles Darwin, the father of evolution,
has been one of the most respected figures in the history of science especially
in the biology field. Like all famous figures, he has been surrounded by
some mythology as well.

It was believed that Darwin discovered
one of science's most important theories during his travels aboard the
Beagle to the Galapagos Islands. Although he did take notes, through
his unbiased observation of nature, on the different species while on the
island, Darwin didnít devise the theory until long after his return to
England. In 1842 and 1844, Darwin published two books called The
Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs and Geological
Observations On Volcanic Islands which were the base to his theory
of evolution. It was surprised that Darwin was not the first person to
propose evolution. In fact, evolution was widely discussed, at least in
scientific circles, long before Darwin published any of his theories. His
grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, a physician and scientist, had written several
unpublished works with evolutionary themes. The question that was troubling
was how did evolution occur? Charles Darwin then came out as the first
person to propose a viable mechanism for evolution, namely natural selection.

Darwin based his theory of evolution upon
his research on the finches while on the Galapagos Islands. There were
fourteen different species on the islands. He stated that it was unlikely
that each was individually created but rather evolved from one parent from
Ecuador as evidence in their beak and other characteristics. Thus his theory
of natural selection stated that in any population, there will be variations.
Individuals that are born with certain characteristics, for example, stronger
legs, keener eyesight, will enjoy an advantage over their peers. If these
individuals can pass these traits on to their offspring, their offspring
will enjoy the same advantages. If the surrounding environment gradually
changes, it may evidence that the new characteristics are more advantageous
than old ones, for instance, a new color that makes better camouflage.
As the environment changes, individuals with these new characteristics
will do better, live longer and produce more offspring until eventually,
the population will look very different from its original version. If the
population changes enough to adopt with the new environment, it will be
classified as a new species. In other words, new species arise when the
environment favors new characteristics over old ones.His theory stated is that life on earth
is simply the result of billions of years of adaptations to changing environments.
This theory implied, and what Darwin emphasized in his book The Descent
of Man, is that humans, like every other organism on earth, were
the result of evolution. In short, Darwin's idea was unflattering. In fact,
it caused an immediate uproar in the religious community. Christian leaders
vehemently opposed Darwinís theory because it went against the belief that
things are not created by God. These controversies are still alive today
although Darwin theory has been recognized.

Just as some people refused to accept Darwin's
theories at all, others were all happy to accept his teachings -- and exploit
them. Another myth attached to Darwin is that he coined the phrase "survival
of the fittest". He didn't, it was, in fact, coined by a British sociologist
and philosopher Herbert Spencer. Darwin developed the theory of natural
selection to explain differences between species, but many of his contemporaries
used his ideas to promote Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism was used as
a scientific and philosophical justification for laisse-faire economics,
in which individuals are left on their own to compete for resources and
achieve whatever they can. It maintains that certain peoples are poorer
than others are and more likely to be used as slave labor because they're
"less evolved" and therefore inferior.

Everything has a bad side to it. As noble
as the evolution theory can be, it was used as a tool for exploitation.
Despite that dark side, Darwin and evolution has increased with the advent
of modern genetics and wider interest in archeology, ecology, anthropology,
eugenics, and other scientific endeavors. Darwinism has not only enriched
the culture of European and American societies, but reaches into the far
corners of the world.

A Day In The Life Of
Charles Darwin

Morning:

Charles Darwin got up early before sunrise to take a
short walk outside, a tradition he started
in March 1849 at Malvern Spa7:45 - 8:00Had a small breakfast by himself.8:00 - 9:30He did his best research during this time.9:30 - 10:30Read letters in the drawing room. Family
letters were read aloud by his wife, Emma, while he relaxed on the sofa.
Sometimes she would read a novel to him at this time.10:30 - 12:00He did more research.

Afternoon:

12:00 - 1:00No matter what the weather might be like
he went for a stroll at the Sandwalk with his dog Polly, a white terrier.
Along the way he would often stop by the greenhouse to check up on how
his plants.1:00 - 1:30Lunch1:30 - 2:00Read the newspaper on the sofa in the
drawing room. He was very much interested in the political goings on.2:00 - 3:00Sat down in his big chair by the fireplace
and wrote letters.3:00 - 4:00Rested in his bedroom on the sofa while
listening to a novel read to him by Emma.4:00 - 4:30Came downstairs for his late afternoon
stroll.4:30 - 5:30More research on whatever project he was
working on at the time.5:30 - 6:00Relaxed in the drawing room and did miscellaneous
stuff, or just being idle.

Evening:6:00 - 7:30Another rest upstairs with a novel read
to him by his wife.7:30 - 8:00Had a light dinner with Emma and the children.8:00 - 8:30Played two games of backgammon with Emma
every night. He kept score of every game for many years.8:30 - 9:00Read a scientific text in the drawing
room or study.9:00 - 9:30Listened to Emma playing her Broadwood
Grand pianoforte.9:30 - 10:00Emma read more from a novel while Darwin
relaxed in the drawing room.10:00 - 10:30Went upstairs to get ready for bed.10:30Went to bed.

*** A weird life he had! Notice that he took
a lot of walks during the day? Well, that might be the base for all his
great discoveries and theories. So take a walk!